Commons Cosmodrome – Re-entering the spaces of ZK/U

In the organizer's words:

With the completion of the ZK/U expansion in fall 2024, the extension of the former freight station will create a venue for Berlin that has been forging its own institutional path in the combination of global discourse and local practice since 2012. The new spaces - a public roof terrace as well as exhibition and workshop rooms - will achieve even greater visibility and accessibility.

In collaboration with Peter Grundmann Architekten, the former heating and storage hall has been carefully transformed into a year-round meeting place. A new "urban stage" - a publicly accessible roof terrace - has been created on the roof of the ZK/U, which can be used by the neighborhood as well as by the more than 180,000 commuters who pass by every day. With the Commons Cosmodrome project, the ZK/U is beginning a new chapter in its history, from a freight station to an art location for the common good.

From September 12 to 15, 2024, the ZK/U will celebrate its reopening - a moment of new beginnings and encounters. During the opening days, the ZK/U will reflect on the social developments of recent years and aim to develop narratives and formats that open up new perspectives on the social commons. Human and non-human voices will gather in the new shell to explore the cosmos of the common. It is a welcome to all who wish to be part of this journey - artists, neighbors and the curious - and a shared view of the movements in the social firmament. With Commons Cosmodrome, the house becomes the starting point for new artistic and social impulses.

Program

Thursday, Sep 12

18:30
forecourt
Ceremonial opening with greetings from State Secretary Stephan Machulik, Senator Joe Chialo, District Councillor Ephraim Gothe and Neighborhood Councillor Jutta Schauer-Oldenburg

19:00-23:00
Hall, upper floor new building, roof
Exhibition
The ZK/U presents itself, its projects and partners in the new building

Ground floor and first floor residency, first floor new building, basement, terrace, forecourt
No Departures Without Arrivals
Exhibition with current and former residents

from 23:00
Terrace
Space to move and be moved, with drinks and music
with Susan Augustt, DAT POLITICS, Ray Collett and Shawescape Renegade

Friday, Sep 13

15:00-20:00
Hall, upper floor new building, roof
Exhibition
ZK/U presents itself, its projects and partners in the new building

Ground floor and first floor residency, first floor new building, basement, terrace, forecourt
No Departures Without Arrivals
Exhibition with current and former residents

19:30
Hall
Private opera: The beautiful milkmaid or The peep-box
Joseph Woelfl's long-forgotten play returns to the stage at ZK/U

Saturday, Sep 14

13:00
Halle
Private opera: The beautiful milkmaid or The peep-box
Joseph Woelfl's long-forgotten play returns to the stage at ZK/U

15:00-20:00
Halle, upper floor new building, roof
Exhibition
The ZK/U presents itself, its projects and partners in the new building

Ground floor and first floor residency, first floor new building, basement, terrace, forecourt
No Departures Without Arrivals
Exhibition with current and former residents

20:00
Hall
Concert: Spaces
with Cile and Gazino Neukölln

Sunday, Sep 15

15:00
Halle
Private opera: The beautiful milkmaid or The peep-box
Joseph Woelfl's long-forgotten play returns to the stage at ZK/U

15:00-20:00
Halle, upper floor new building, roof
Exhibition
The ZK/U presents itself, its projects and partners in the new building

Ground floor and first floor residency, first floor new building, basement, terrace, forecourt
No Departures Without Arrivals
Exhibition with current and former residents

19:00
Hall
Berlin x Chengdu - Food & Footage Edition
Building bridges between Chengdu and Berlin through cinema and cuisine

from 23:00
Terrace
Space to move and be moved, with drinks and music
with Elizen the Emperor

The expansion is funded by the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Berlin as part of the Zukunftsinitiative Stadtteil, Social Cohesion Program.

Price information:

Tickets are required for the private opera and Berlin x Chengdu - Food & Footage Edition. Further information at zku-berlin.org.